Bolles School Basketball coach Anthony Candelino with point guard Deshawn Ruffin during a signing party this week at the school.
Dalton State basketball Coach Tony Ingle has announced the signing of Deshawn Ruffin, a 5’11” freshman point guard from the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fl.
“We are excited to have Deshawn as a Roadrunner,” Ingle said. “I am sure he will give our fans a great deal to cheer about. It’s difficult for a freshman to get serious playing time and make positive contributions, but we feel he has a legitimate chance.”
Ingle said the 2014 Bolles graduate has the total package. ”He is a serious student, a solid player, and he has great character,” Ingle said.
Bolles School varsity basketball coach Anthony Candelino will begin his 5th year with the Bulldogs this fall. The one-time University of North Florida assistant coach has high praise for his former point guard.
“He is a very good basketball player,” said Candelino. “Deshawn has high character, excellent grades, and he is a hard worker on and off the court.”
Ruffin is a 2013-2014 Florida Times-Union All-First Coast Team Honorable Mention. Playing on a defensive minded 26-1 team that led the Jacksonville area with only 34.7 points allowed per game, the newest Roadrunner averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
He nailed a 12-foot jumper in the 2014 Florida District 3 – 4A Boys Basketball Championship Game to keep the Bulldogs' unbeaten 26-0 record going. The win was over Trinity Christian.
The Bolles School has fewer than 1,000 students but is known for academic excellence as well as producing top quality athletes.
The school has had an alumnus or a current student compete in the Oympic Games every year since 1972. Former Atlanta Brave star Chipper Jones is also a Bolles alumnus.
The most notable Bolles basketball alumnus is 6’1” guard Dee Brown. He was the 1990 first round draft pick of the Boston Celtics and 1991 slam dunk contest winner.